Inclusive Investitures
As the new Scout Year is set to begin for many Scout Groups, preparation for linking and investitures may be starting for new members of Scouting Ireland in the coming months.
Investitures are big milestones in scouting for our young people and our adults alike and it is important that the tone is right as well as the environment. Here is a checklist that your Scout Group can use to ensure all young people are supported in the ceremony.
What is an investiture?
The Investiture Ceremony is the time when a Scout, by means of the words of the Scout Promise, publicly announces their commitment to the Scout Law. At the ceremony, the Scout makes the Promise while holding the Scouting Ireland Flag and receives their Neckerchief and Investiture Badge.
Investitures are generally reserved for those new to Scouting or when a Scout moves into a new Section. An adult taking on a new role, such as Section Scouter, may also be invested.
Investitures can come in all shapes and sizes, and different Groups will have different traditions – someScoutsmay be invested in a largeScout Group investiture, while others may be invested into their Section on a boat, or at the top of a mountain!
Venue
Can all the members get to it?
For younger sections, the Group’s normal meeting place might be appropriate, or at the end of an activity. For older sections, ensure you are not inadvertently leaving someone out by having it during a particularly challenging activity or in an inaccessible location.
Does the venue have capacity for an audience?
Forexample, is there enoughroomfor parents/guardians toattend and see theirchildren during the Ceremony? This again may be more relevant for younger sections than older.
Tokens
If those invested are to get a badge, are there enough for everyone?
If there’s another token given as per Group tradition, is it age appropriate?
The Ceremony
Does everyone know that this is taking place and they are prepared?
Speaking in front of audiences can be daunting for some and even if the people being invested are prepared, nerves can build. Have back up plans such as words printed on a sheet for reading, or a Scouter who can lead the Promise and the young people can repeat it. For younger sections, perhaps two or three can recite their Promise together.
Do you have the right Promise for everyone there?
There are 3 Scout Promises that can be used during an investiture ceremony depending on the beliefs of your group being invested. Scout Groups should use the Promise that they are certain everyone being invested can use.
Multiple rounds of investitures using different Promises should be avoided if at all possible. This can lead to othering and feelings of being left out.
Check out our resource HERE with Scout Promise posters appropriate to your Section. These are in a dyslexia-friendly font for use in your Scout Den or ceremonies.
The Atmosphere
Investitures are celebrations – of the potential of the person as well as their journey so far. They are joining a Scout Group, wider Scouting Ireland and the World Scouting Community of over 67 million members.
If consented to, photographs and other mementos can make all the difference to the occasion. Maybe there’s a wall or locker you can add photos of the most recent investiture to!